CHICAGO – Almost 2.2 million people in Illinois might see their eligible criminal records sealed following passage of the ‘Clean Slate’ Act during last week’s veto session.

The bill would require law enforcement agencies to automatically seal eligible criminal records every six months. Excluded from the measure are convictions for sexual violence against minors, DUIs, reckless driving, cruelty to animals and serious violent crimes, including any that would qualify for sex offender registration.

“We are not adding any crimes that are not currently allowed to be sealed by petition, we are just making the process automatic,” bill sponsor state Sen. Elgie Sims Jr., D-Chicago, said during discussion on the Senate floor.

After an earlier version of the bill failed to clear both chambers dur

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